A prisoner, just like a freeman, is entitled to legal representation among other constitutional and administrative protections although they do not have full constitutional rights. Lawyers and public defenders play a major role in prisoner litigation and legal defenses. They investigate the necessary information, help in the commutation of sentences, and provide alternative modes of representing disputes.
As of 2016,
it was recorded that about 2.2 million Americans have been incarcerated at one
point or the other. This means that for every 100,000 people in the US, there
are 655 inmates. This has resulted in prison congestion and also
generated a lot of revenue for the government.
On one hand,
the solution for some people is to build more prisons for criminals. On the
other hand, the solution for other people is to reduce mass incarceration
especially for non-violent offenders, those who are wrongfully convicted, and
those who are vulnerable and at risk for contracting COVID-19. Some issues are debatable
hot topics; the type of legal representation that a prisoner has or can afford,
and the amount of money spent surrounding incarceration.
A total of
about $18 billion was said to be generated annually as tax payments from
prison, parole, and probation operations. Bail bonds fees, prison phone fees,
and court costs also contributed to about $100 billion in revenue. Sadly, even
though several people are serving their sentences in prison, there are still some
inmates who are awaiting trial.
For a
prisoner to enjoy legal representation, the type of representation needs to be
spelled out. The roles of lawyers, public defenders, and pro se representation
need to be spelled out as well before any court or hearing proceedings take
place.
Who Is A
Lawyer And What Do They Do?
A lawyer is
a person trained and licensed to practice law by a relevant enabling body. The
lawyer has a duty, by this training, to uphold the law and protect the rights
of clients. A lawyer owes a duty of skill, care, and transparency to clients
when handling cases or representing them on matters concerning the law. Some
lawyers have been in the hot seat of jokes for poor representation and outcomes
while others get rave reviews relating for brilliant strategies at law for
dismissals and acquittals or convictions.
The primary
duty of a lawyer is to provide legal advice and counsel, research facts of each
case, and the relevant laws, as well as gather evidence where needed. A lawyer
is also expected to draft legal documents with regards to contracts, real estate
transactions, wills, and other areas of law. Other than the above, a lawyer is
also expected to mediate disputes and inform their clients about their rights
and obligations based on the area of law in question.